.Brian Windhorst, ESPN Elder WriterAug 7, 2024, 05:28 PM ETCloseESPN.com NBA author given that 2010.Dealt With Cleveland Cavs for seven years.Author of 2 booksPARIS-- The mix of A'ja Wilson and also Breanna Stewart has actually verified to become a devasting combo for the Crew United States ladies, to the point where there is actually an instance building that they might share the Olympics A lot of Prized Possession Gamer Award.But there is actually a brand new duo emerging, though certainly not a surprising one, that is actually proved to be a major boost as the Americans work toward yet another gold medal.Las Vegas Aces allies Kelsey Plum as well as Jackie Young have actually stepped up to become difference-makers in France and also played key roles in Group United States's 88-74 victory over Nigeria in the quarterfinals.It marked the crew's 59th successive Olympic success and establishes a semifinal match versus Australia, champions over Serbia Wednesday, on Friday at 3 p.m. ET.Jackie Young finished with double-digit factors for the second straight game, shooting 60% from the area in the United States' win over Nigeria. CAROLINE BREHMAN/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockCoach Cheryl Reeve moved Youthful in to the beginning lineup instead of professional Diana Taurasi versus Nigeria, a staff known for participating in high stress full-court protection that challenges opposing guards.It was a reward after Youthful scored 19 points with four steals off the seat in the final swimming pool play video game against Germany. She answered with one more great efficiency, enjoying with energy at each points along with another Aces teammate, Chelsea Gray, in the backcourt.Young racked up 15 aspects and also helped bring the USA outburst early in the activity as the Americans left to a little bit of a sluggish begin through their standards.Nigeria lagged through just four aspects midway by means of the 2nd fourth. That's when Reeve visited Plum, that was actually the 12th as well as last player to get in the game for the Americans. Plum immediately modified the game along with her passing and speed on the objectionable point, dishing out 3 easy helps and nailing a 3-pointer. Plum do with merely six points yet her six-minute switch to end up the 1st half resulted in a plus-11 on the scoreboard to push the lead to 19 at half. The USA at that point began the 2nd one-half on a 15-0 run and also the worry was provided for the evening.Editor's Picks1 RelatedWilson and Stewart, who entered into the video game balancing a matching 20.3 scores every video game, played their brand name of competent bully ball. Wilson placed in twenty aspects on 9-of-11 capturing along with 11 rebounds and 2 blocks. Stewart possessed 13 factors on 5-of-7 firing along with five rebounds and also 3 assists.Brittney Griner went over the bench to credit rating 11 ideas on 4-of-5 firing. Those three internal markers blending for 16-of-21 is actually hard to beat.The USA entered the activity averaging 29 aids as well as once again placed on a ball-sharing clinic through setting up 31 more.Promise Amukamara led Nigeria, which cut the lead down to as low as 13 in the 4th quarter, with 19 scores. The activity ended with a little upper hand when the united state's Kahleah Copper got a technical filthy for throwing the reception at Nigeria's Ezinne Kalu after she racked up in the last secs.